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“I hope that the nation, Major League Baseball and the many fans of our national pastime can forgive me.”

Ironically, Lewis himself had denounced pop stars who flub the national anthem after high-profile mistakes by Christina Aguilera and Cyndi Lauper.

In 2011 footage dug up by MTV, Lewis, in apparent reference to Aguilera's performance that year at American football's Super Bowl, said: "I guess I just don't understand how people who sing the national anthem can be so f---ing self-absorbed that they would try to change that f---ing song."

Lewis is known for his conservative views. In 2010, he branched out into country music with the song "Country Boy" in which he declared, "I love my country, I love my guns, I love my family."

The national anthem and flag are highly sensitive in the United States, where many people are offended by disrespect to the symbols.

Lewis’ blunder comes after Shannon Noll was accused of delivering a “bogan” rendition of the Australian national anthem at the Cox Plate over the weekend.

The former Australian Idol contestant’s nervous performance lead to instant criticism on Twitter.

"Breaking news: Vic Police Detectives on way to Moonee Valley to investigate claims Shannon Noll murdered the national anthem," one person wrote on Twitter.